The Pamplona side travel to Anoeta to face their Basque rivals for Week 13’s opening fixture seven points and 10 positions behind them in the table.

However, recent form suggests the team’s early-season struggles that have left them in the relegation zone have been put behind them, and Mendilibar looked to reflect this today.

“We intend to continue our form of recent games at Anoeta,” stated the tactician today.

“We know what the opponent has and that they come into the game from some good results and performances, it hasn’t just been good results.

“We are taking this into account, but are not getting concerned by it. We think we can match the performance shown away to Espanyol.”

At Cornella-El Prat the team convincingly won 3-0 in Week 11.

“Perhaps before then you had more questions, but now the doubts have been dispelled and people are in a position once more to take risks here. We are now able to be braver and take some risks in our play.

“We are not scared of Real. We have respect, nothing more. Every game is a different story.

“Against Rayo they scored four, but in the first half an hour Rayo had a couple of chances which could have seen them go in front.

“When on form it is much easier to win, that is also happening with us, though. The important thing tomorrow is to play like we do.

“We will have chances to win the game. It does not mean we will win, but we are going there to win, not to draw.”

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